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Saturday, September 5, 2015

The
Mundialito (also known as Copa de Oro (Gold Cup)) was a Tournament to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Inaugural World Cup.

Uruguay, who had hosted the very First World Cup,
were the also the hosts of this event.

This Mini-Tournament was to involve all the
previous World Cup Winners. This included the hosts Uruguay (1930, 1950), Italy
(1934,1938), West Germany (1954, 1974), Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970) and Argentina
(1978).

The 1966 winners England had also been invited,
but they declined to particpate due to an already crowded fixture list. This
Tournamnet was held in the middle of the European Football Season
(December/January) and the League as well as the clubs were reluctant to
release their players for a long journey to another continent. In their place,
Holland (runner-ups, 1974, 1978) were invited.

All The matches were to be held in a single venue,
Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.

Uruguay, had been under a Military Dictatorship
since 1973. The Military Governmant had set up a Referendum Vote on a new
Cosntitution on November 30th, 1980 (just one month prior to the start of the
matches).

Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1813, January 6, 1981

Many believed their aim was to use this Tournament
as part of their victory celebrations and firmly believed the public would
support them. However, the voting public rejected this Referendum.

Its Football Team had not qualified for the 1978
World Cup and needed positive displays on the field to reclaim its crowd and
honor.

The team managed by, the 1950 World Cup winning
goalkeeper, Roque Gastón Maspoli took the preparation for this event to extreme
measures and held a training camp for up to 2 ½ months.

The Uruguayan Press had clamored for Luis Cubilla, the Manager of
Olimpia Asuncion, to be the National team Manager, but Uruguay Federation
President Yamandu Flangini kept faith with Maspoli.

Naturally, the backbone of the squad mainly
comprised from the Montevideo’s big two (Peñarol and Nacional). The captain of
the team was goalkeeper Rodolfo Rodriguez.
The defense was led by the bearded Hugo De Leon (the only foreign based
player on they team, with Brazil’s Gremio). Other standouts included forwards
Venancio Ramos, Waldemar Victorino and a midfielder that many were referring to
as ‘Uruguay’s Maradona’, Ruben Paz.

Paz was so highly regarded that AC Milan’s Gianni Rivera had
traveled to witness the Tournament mainly to scout him among other players.

Brazil had appointed Telê Santana as Manager in 1980, in a bid to get
back to its attacking roots following the disappointing attempt from Claudio
Coutinho to ‘Europeanize’ Brazil’s Futebol. Santana was a strong and vocal
proponent of ‘Jogo Bonita’. He had the misfortune of losing Flamengo star Zico
to a late injury just prior to the tournament. Similarly, another forward
Reinaldo had to withdraw from the squad due to injury and AS Roma’s Paulo
Roberto Falcao was not released by his club (though he did travel there as a
commentator for Italian television).

Despite
these losses, the team more than made up in talent. The team was to be
captained by the freethinking and politically conscious Socrates, who was
nominally a midfielder, but was to be used as striker for the Tournament. The
rest of the squad included excellent players such as Oscar, Luizinho, Junior,
Edvelado, Cerezo, Batista and Paulo Isidoro.

Defending World Cup Champions Argentina, under
Manager Cesar Luis Menotti, were confined to Friendly matches until the next
World Cup. They had toured Europe in 1979 and 1980 with much success, with
Diego Maradona now proclaimed as the number one player in the World. The squad
still contained many 1978 World Cup winners, such as Captain Daniel Passarella,
Ubaldo Fillol, Luis Galvan, Alberto Tarantini, Jorge Olguin, Americo Gallego,
Leopoldo Luque, Osvaldo Ardiles, Daniel Bertoni and Mario Kempes.

The trio of Ardiles, Bertoni and Kempes had been
called up despite Menotti’s reluctance to select foreign based players. One of
Menotti’s main concerns was to experiment Kempes and Maradona’s interplay.

The recent UEFA European Championship winners West
Germany came with full confidence. They had been managed by Juup Derwall since
the end of the 1978 World Cup. Helmut Schoen’s former assistant had dispensed
of some of the old guard and had created a rejuvenated efficient squad. They
had been undefetaed for 23 macthes since he had taken over.

The backbone of the team consisted of Captain
Bernard Dietz, goalkeeper Harald Schuamcher, defenders Manfred Kaltz, Karlheinz
Foerster, Hans-Peter Briegel, midfielders such as Hansi Muller and Felix
Magath. Horst Hrbesch was the aerial striking threat along with the newly
crowned France Football’s Ballon d’Or (European Player of the year) Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge.

The Germans could not call up Uli Stielieke and
Bernd Schuster as their Spanish employers (Real Madrid and Barcelona
respectively) would not release them. However, veteran Rainer Bonhof was back
in the squad after making peace with Hansi Muller following a dispute.

Holland were somewhat in disarray, with their 1982 World Cup
Qualification hopes already in jeopardy after losses to Republic of Ireland and
Belgium.

They traveled with a relatively young squad that did not include
mainstays such as Ruud Krol, Johann Neeskens, Johnny Rep and Michel van de
Korput.

Ipswich Town also would not release Arnold Muhren and Frans
Thijssen.

Dutch Manager Jan Zwartkruis had taken the opportunity to prepare a team for the future.
He selected many players from the in-form team of the Dutch League AZ’67
Alkmaar.

Enzo
Bearzot also took the opportunity to select a squad with experimentation in
mind. Italy was beset with the Totonero scandal and due to suspensions; Bearzot
could not call upon Paolo Rossi and Bruno Giordano.

The
Italian league had postponed two rounds of the Serie A to help preparations.
Unfortunately for him, this was only the Serie A. The aforementioned Totonero
Scandal had led to the forced relegation of AC Milan. Beazrot had been hoping
to include AC Milan defenders Fulvio Collovati and a then-uncapped Franco
Baresi. However, AC Milan would not release them since they had scheduled
matches around the time of the Tournament (In the end Franco’s brother,
Giuseppe of Inter was selected). Italian Press, who felt he was too rigid and
always maintained the same men, constantly criticized Enzo Bearzot. He chose to
leave at home team national team mainstays, the Juventus trio of captain and
goalkeeper Dino Zoff, along with Franco Causio and Roberto Bettega. This was to
get a closer look at Inter goalkeeper Ivano Bordon, AS Roma’s Bruno Conti and
Inter striker Alessandro Altobelli.

Other
newcomers included AS Roma’s Carlo Ancelotti, Perugia’s Salvatore Bagni and
Como defender Pietro Vierchowod. The squad nevertheless retained many of its
regulars like Cabrini, Scirea, Gentile, Graziani and stand-in captain for the
Tournament Giancarlo Antognoni.

The already under-fire Italians also had to endure the tragic
death of the National Team’s General Manager Gigi Peronace (aged 55) who died
on December 29th due to a heart attack, in the Team Hotel in the
arms of Enzo Bearzot. The Italians would wear black armbands in his memory in
their matches.

The six teams were to be placed in two Groups with the winner of
each Group to dispute the Final. The Hosts Uruguay, who had been training for a
couple of months now, were drawn in Group A with Italy and Holland. Both of
these team, in contrast, had only had three days of training.

Brazil (with 12 full days of training), Argentina and West Germany
were drawn in Group B.

The South American Nations each tested themselves in practice
matches vs. Switzerland who were touring South America. They each defeated
Switzerland in the space of four days. Argentina defeated them (5-0) on
December 16th, Uruguay won (4-0) on December 18th and
Brazil won (2-0) on December 20th.

Uruguay and Holland kicked off the Tournament, just before the end
of the calendar year, on December 30th. The home side was more
adventurous and technical. They were especially good moving forward on the wings and
dominated. For Holland, Willy van der Kerkhof played as Libero with Martin Jol
was assigned to police Ruben Paz.

In
the other Group, Argentina and West Germany squared off on New Year’s Day. Both
squads played in a 4-4-2 formation, with Argentina playing with a zonal defense
and the Germans with man to man marking.

Argentina
were in general better and had more of the possession.

Beforehand,
Derwall had talked about deploying Bonhof as a left back, but he clearly played
as a Libero. Afterwards, Derwall said this was to confuse Menotti.

Briegel
was put in charge of Maradona and essentially marked him out of the game.
Maradona himself praised and acknowledged Briegel’s achievement. Briegel’s work
was even more noteworthy given that he did not have to resort to over physical
and brutal methods.

Mario
Kempes’ Tournament ended after the first half when he had to be replaced due to
injury.

The
Germans went ahead first in the 41st minute. Hansi Muller took a
corner from the left and Hrubesch headed it in.

Argentina
had to wait near the end to score its goals. With six minutes to go, a corner
was taken from the right and Passarella headed it. The bounce led to a mix-up
between Schumacher and Kaltz and the Hamburg defender accidentally deflected it
in.

A
few minutes later, Valencia took the ball from defense and went with it all the
way near the West German penalty area and released the ball for Ramon Diaz, on
the right, who chipped Schumacher from a narrow angle.

This
was West Germany’s first ever defeat under Derwall after 23 unbeaten matches.

On
January 3rd, Uruguay hosted Italy for the second match in Group A
with Gianni Rivera and Juan Schiaffino in the audience.

Uruguay
made with no changes from the previous match. For the Italians, Bordon played
his first full match for Italy. This turned out to be the most violent and
negative match of the Cup with five bookings and three sending offs.

Italy
were a more difficult opponent than the Dutch for the hosts.

In
a game that featured tight marking from both sides, the organizers Paz and
Antognoni stood out.

The
deadlock was only broken midway through the second half.

Photo
From: Mondial, new series, issue 24, March 1982

(Giancarlo Antognoni, January 3, 1981,
Mundialito, Uruguay 2-Italy 0)

In
the 67th minute, Uruguay were awarded a penalty kick after Martinez
was fouled by Oriali in the box. Tempers flared and the Italians contested the
penalty decision to no avail.

Julio César Morales scored from the spot to
give Uruguay the lead. Just a few minutes later, José Moreira and Antonio
cabrini were both sent off.

After Moreira was sent off, Julio César
Morales was immeditaley replaced with defender Victor Diogo.

Argentina
scored first in the first half. In the 30th minute, Maradona got
hold of the ball in the right side touchline. He went towards the goal and from
a narrow took a hard shot and gave Argentina the lead.

Early
in the second half, Brazil tied up the match. After a corner from the left
side, the ball bounced around in the goalmouth between players, it finally
reached an unmarked Edevaldo on the right side and he blasted it past Fillol.

Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3196, 1981

(Diego Maradona, January 4, 1981, Mundialito,
Argentina 1-Brazil 1)

Brazil
dominated after the goal. Brazil lost its goalkeeper Carlos in the 67th
minute for the Tournament as he was injured. João Leite took his place for the remainder of the
Cup.

At
the final whistle there was a fight between some of the players. Paulo Isidoro
kicked Valencia, Maradona joined in to help his teammate and Edevaldo tried to
stop Maradona. The police had to restore order.

The
Referee did not take any disciplinary action, as he was unable to see how the
fight had broken out.

Photo
From: El Grafico Number 3196, 1981

(The fight at the end of match, January 4, 1981,
Mundialito, Argentina 1-Brazil 1)

On January 6th, Group A was concluded with the
inconsequential match between Italy and Holland. The sending offs of Cabrini
and Tardelli in the previous match had forced Bearzot to start Pietro Vierchowod and Carlo
Ancelotti. Gabriele Oriali was also
rested and Giuseppe Baresi started.

The
next day, the fate of Group B was decided when Brazil took on West Germany. The
Germans were missing Hrubesch who was ill. Their only change was the inclusion
of Mirko Votava.

Hrubesch’s
absence would be sorely felt as he provided not only aerial power but also
support to Rummenigge up front.

Brazil
were excellent in this match and delighted the viewing audience.

West
Germany surprisingly took the lead in the 54tgh minute. Rummenigge crossed from
the right, it missed Allofs but reached Hansi Muller on the left side unmarked.
He crossed it back for Allofs to tap in.

Photo
From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(January 7, 1981, Mundialito, Brazil 4-West
Germany 1)

Brazil
tied the match just two minutes from a free kick from Junior.

They
took the lead in the 61st minute, when Edevaldo from the right
crossed into the box for Cerezo to volley home.

In
the 76th minute, Socrates gets a pass on the right side; he took the
ball towards the touchline, with Schumacher already committed, and crossed into
the goalmouth for Serginho to score into the empty net.

In
the 82nd minute, a cross from the middle released Serginho; he
controled, turned and in turn sent Ze Sergio clear. Ze Sergio got past
Schumacher and from a narrow angle scored with a low shot.

This
was West Germany’s worst defeat since losing to France (3-6) during the 1958
World Cup.

Bonhof
who had been good vs. Argentina was disappointing for this match, like most of
his German teammates. Their performance was far below their standards and
seemed indifferent. Derwall was even asked if they had lost on purpose.

Argentina
Manager Cesar Luis Menotti stated that he did not believe that they lost on
purpose, but were certainly undisciplined.

He
remarked that the Germans were excellent at man to man marking, but somehow
left a lot of space against Brazil.

Menotti
said that Argentina’s conscience is clear as far their performances, but West
Germany could not say the same.

With
the goal difference, Brazil qualified for the Final that was a replay of the
1950 World cup Final.

The Final took place on January 10th. Uruguay’s
only change from its first two matches was the inclusion of Diogo who deputized
for the suspended Moreira.

Brazil were unchanged from the West Germany match.

In
the First half Uruguay very cautious and Brazil was not as adventurous as the
match vs. West Germany.

Uruguay had to repalce the injured Eduardo De
la Peña in the 36th minute by Jorge Barrios.

Match
came to life after the first goal scored in the 50th minute by
Uruguay.

Venancio
Ramos sent Paz clear on the right side, he cut in and took a shot that Leite
parried, and Ramos immediately laid the rebound for Barrios to score.

After
Uruguay’s goal, Serginho replaced Tita and moved in the front line. Socrates
dropped back in midfield. Paulo Isidoro moved on the right wing to occupy the
spot vacated by Tita.

In
the 62nd minute, Socrates was fouled Walter
Olivera in the box. Socrates scored from the spot kick himself.

With ten minutes remaining, a free kick was
taken on the right side by Ramos. The cross was intended for the near post, but
missed, but waiting in the far post was Victorino who headed in from close
range to score his third goal in as many matches.

Just like 1950, Uruguay won (2-1) and claimed
the title and Rodolfo Rodriguez lifted the trophy.

Waldemar Victorino ended as the top
goalscorer with three goals.

Brazil’s Toninho Cerezo was voted as the best player of the
Tournament.

Uruguay’s
Rodriguez, De Leon, Martinez and Krasouski received
much praise.

Many would have predicted Uruguay to do well in the World Cup
following this triumph, so it was very surprising that they did not even qualify
for the World Cup. They were eliminated in a Group won by Peru. This left many
wondering whether they were really a good team or just beneficiary of home
field advantage.

Despite their defeat in the Final, Brazil would continue to
implement Santana’s attacking ideas and would be the Neutrals’ favorite by the
time the World Cup rolled around.

By then a fit Zico and Falcao would be included. Socrates would
move back to the midfield. Many players who take part in this Cup would also be
present at the World Cup.

There would be some changes. Valdir Peres would become Brazil’s
starting goalkeeper. Despite his excellent performances in this Cup, Leandro
would supplant Edevaldo as starting right back. João Leite and Ze Sergio did not make the World
Cup squad.

For Argentina, this Tournament marked the end of the road for
Leopoldo Luque and he was not called up again. Ramon Diaz would become the main
striker. Menotti did not get a chance to fully test the Kempes and Maradona
combination.

They came away looking good, but would struggle by the time of the
World Cup on European soil, despite the presence of Maradona.

The Italians already weakened before they had even started came
back disappointed, not to mention dealing with the tragic death of Gigi
Peronace. On the field, Bearzot could not make conclusive analysis as
circumstances had forced him to make more changes that he would have wanted.
Alessandro Altobelli who was given an opportunity to start did not grab his
chance, nor did fellow striker Roberto Pruzzo.

An angry Bearzot later stated that if he knew his squad would be
treated so disrespectfully by the hosts, he would have opposed participation in
this Tournament (The violence in the match with Uruguay). He stated that
England Manager Ron Greenwood had been right and justified to miss this
Tournament. Most of his anger was directed towards the Referee of the Uruguay
Match, the Spanish Emilio Guruceta. Guruceta had insulted and used profanities
towards Conti and Graziani, who were appealing his penalty kick decision.
Bearzot had planned to report Guruceta to FIFA.

It is worth remembering, Emilio Guruceta was the Referee that
years later was alleged to have taken bribes in favor of Anderlecht in their
UEFA Cup semifinal vs. Nottingham Forest in 1984. Guruceta was killed in a
traffic accident on February 25, 1987.

Nevertheless, Bearzot would stick to his guns and select his
players, despite pressure from the press to dispense with the old guard, and
with Paolo Rossi back after suspension would triumph in the World Cup.

The even more weakened Dutch squad were in disarray. There was
such criticism from their own Media that they issued a blackout with Dutch
reporters. Jan
Zwartkruis could take no more and resigned upon retuning home. It would take
years for Holland to rise from the ashes. They had to wait the ascent of
Gullit/van Basten generation.

For the Germans, their performance vs. Brazil had tarnished their
reputation. There were reports of off-field indiscipline as well. It was
reported that one night, Rummenigge, Kaltz, Muller and Briegel had broken curfew and left the
team hotel and gone out. Derwall reprimanded the players the next day. It was
also alleged by Hotel sources that the West German players had drank as much as
1200 bottles of beer during their stay.

After
the Tournament, Rainer Bonhof was never called up again. In the following
months, Derwall would re-integrate Paul Breitner much to the objection of
captain Bernard Dietz. As a result Derwall would exclude Dietz from the squad.
The Germans ended as runners-up in the World Cup.

For
its time, this Tournament was an attractive idea as it assembled former
winners, but its timing during the season left much to be desired.

Before
the Tournament, there was even talk that Italy might host a similar event in
1984, but that idea was scrapped.

While all three South American performed well, the Europeans’
performances were disappointing. The Tournament played in the middle of the
European season could not be judged adequately as these selections were clearly
not at full strength. Their priorities were the World Cup qualifiers and in
hindsight perhaps should have rested their players during the Christmas Break,
given their halfhearted performances.